) I examined the contrast of SUPERFICIALITY vs. GOODHEARTEDNESS within the Golden Goose & Bearskin. Superficiality includes, external beauty, wealth, rank, & courage.
In the Golden Goose, Dummling is the protagonist who was looked down upon and slighted because he was the youngest and weakest son. However, Dummling’s pure heart made it so he “passed the tests” of the old man in the woods, and was able to obtain a beautiful princess as his wife.
Superficial brings punishment:
1. Dummling’s older, handsome brothers were unable to cut down a tree, and cut themselves because they would not share with the old man.
2. The innkeeper’s foolish and greedy daughters tried to pluck the goose's golden feathers, and were punished by becoming attached to the goose, unable to break free.
3. Parson calls girls foolish wenches for “chasing” Dummling, also becomes attached
4. Clerk becomes attached
5. Superficial King goes back on his word because he is not pleased with Dummling’s appearance and name as a son-in-law. This is because he is not pure hearted or loyal, but superficial. Selfishly gives Dummling three additional challenges, all of which he succeeds in, (and helps the poor old man in the process) and finally the King gives up and allows Dummling to marry his beautiful daughter.
Goodhearted are rewarded, Dummling receives:
1. Goose made out of gold
2. Beautiful princess wife
3. Inherits the kingdom after the king dies.
In Bearskin, the superficial v. loyal, goodhearted continues, as the courageous soldier returns from war with nowhere to go because his parents are dead, and his brothers were coldhearted. They told the soldier: “What could we do with you? We could make nothing of you; see to what you have brought yourself?”(Bearskin, page 337).
The courageous, goodhearted solider, resorts to the woods without food, shelter, or money since his selfish brothers were disloyal and refused to help him. (Who was at war risking his life to protect the lives of the nation, INCLUDING his brothers)
Soldier accepts the “evil one’s” offer, though it is a gamble with big risks, he is brave and has no other options besides death.
Fate of the Superficial:
1. Soldier gradually starts to look like a wild beast because he wears a bearskin, and is not allowed to wash or cut his hair and nails for seven years.
2. Soldier has endless money, which allows him to eat and pay liberally for a place to stay – people begin to REFUSE to serve him/help him because of his APPEARANCE.
3. Eventually, MONEY is insufficient for most people to help him because of his external ugliness.
4. Superficial daughters of the innkeeper mock the Soldier’s external appearance, make jokes, and are disgusted by him – refusing to marry him.
Fate of the Goodhearted:
1. Loyal soldier stays true to his word and obeys the “Evil one” for seven years, without losing his “compassionate heart.”
2. Soldier helps the innkeeper, who promises him one of his daughters as a wife in return – he is good hearted and rightfully thanks the Soldier for his help.
3. Youngest daughter of the innkeeper agrees to marry him, DESPITE his external ugliness, because the Soldier helped her father, and she is loyal to him.
IN THE END: The goodhearted Soldier & youngest daughter are rewarded because they are not superficial, and they are extremely loyal and compassionate people who fulfill their “DUTY” in society. The soldier survives the seven years and when the deal is up, he is shaved and groomed to look more handsome than before. The youngest daughter is loyal to her beastly husband for three years, and is overwhelmed with joy when he returns in his true, handsome soldier form.
Beauty and money are important driving forces in these fairytales, as well as in society. However, people who are cold hearted, greedy, and superficial will be unhappy. Whereas loyal, dutiful, goodhearted people who look past rough exteriors and remain true to their country and themselves, will be rewarded.
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